Shocking moment thugs storm pitch and throw punches at footy players in ugly post-match brawl

An investigation has been launched after a country footy match descended into chaos on Saturday.

Video footage has circulated on social media showing supporters storming the field and throwing punches in a wild-post match brawl involving under-19 players from Panton Hill and Bundoora at Cracknell Reserve.

The melee broke out after the final siren and the bystanders decided to get involved, bursting onto the scene and escalating the violence.

The footage showed at least three of the thugs becoming involved in the brawl, with one seen throwing several punches and knocking a Panton Hill player to the ground.

The fighting ended when fellow players, umpires and officials split the antagonists.

The Northern Football Netball League has launched an investigation and it remains unclear whether the spectators involved are league-registered players.

NFNL football operations manager Jeff Downes and league chairman Scott Walker were at the ground when the ugly incident unfolded.

'The NFNL is aware of an incident which took place at the conclusion of the Panton Hill and Bundoora under-19.5s match on Saturday morning,' a statement from the league read.

'The league has initiated an investigation into the matter and will be providing no further comment at this moment in time.'

The incident also halted Panton Hill's celebrations after the under-19s team claimed its first win since reforming in 2023. 

Jayson Burleigh, president of Panton Hill, said the club is in the process of preparing witness statements and intends to fully cooperate with the league probe. 

He also revealed that the player who was struck by the intruder did not suffer any serious injuries.

His Bundoora counterpart, Paul King, also confirmed the club was taking the shocking matter seriously.  

'The league is investigating the matter and Bundoora FNC will be co-operating fully during the process,' he said.